7 rooms The Block judges have hated over 21 seasons

Imagine putting in weeks of back-breaking work on The Block, only to have your attempt labelled “ugly”, “weak” or a “crime scene”.

That’s the harsh reality facing every team that takes up the monumental challenge.

For every room the judges have adored over the history of the show, there have been just as many shocks and horrors. Some have elicited the toughest critiques on Australian television.

Let’s revisit these unforgettable doozies …

Robby and Mat’s ‘nursing home’ kids’ bedroom, 2025, Daylesford

Host Scotty Cam tested the teams, asking them to design a bedhead that would be included in their kids’ bedroom reveals. Robby and Mat opted for a high, square shape, dressed in a thick heritage stripe.

Cam said it reminded him of a 1930s hotel room in Chicago – with a sinister twist. “You put a severed horse’s head on here, it’s a scene out of The Godfather,” he said. “I reckon these boys didn’t get any cuddles when they were kids.”

Judge Darren Palmer said the level of drama was harsh and needed to be balanced by “something beautiful, natural and organic”. 

The best friends were good-natured about it, acknowledging their creation was a “monstrosity”. However, they failed to redeem themselves on judging day.

“It’s like walking into an upmarket nursing home,” judge Marty Fox said. Don’t even mention the floor lamp next to the table lamp.

Jason and Sarah’s ‘insult’ of a main bedroom, 2017, Elsternwick

The judges – and Cam – were appalled by the absence of any effort on Jason and Sarah’s part. The mum and dad from Victoria were the first team in the history of the show not to present a room for judging. 

“Wow – but not in a good way,” former judge Neale Whittaker said, as they climbed the stairs and got the full picture of, well, nothingness. “They have done nothing; this is not a room.”

Not a single aspect of the main-bedroom suite was attempted, and the judges were left to ponder a bare shell, scattered with tools, buckets, chipboard and ladders.

Palmer said “WTF”, and fellow judge Shaynna Blaze pointed out that other struggling teams throughout the years had cobbled together something for them to consider.

“It’s beyond rude,” Cam told the pair at headquarters, pointing out that 10,000 couples had applied to be on that season. 

“This is a slap in the face,” Palmer said. “They have been given a golden opportunity – a life-changing opportunity. To get that opportunity and curl it up in a ball and throw it over their shoulder is an insult.”

Sarah said her children were going overseas that week, and she was distracted. “I know it’s no excuse for not getting anything done in everyone else’s eyes, but I haven’t been able to cope very well,” she said.

Hayden and Sara’s ‘ugly’ bathroom, 2018, St Kilda

Hayden and Sara chose a sprouting vertical garden as a hero feature in their main bathroom, but none of the judges was impressed. 

Whittaker was critical of the size of the installation and how much it encroached on the limited floor space. “This feels so over-the-top; it’s just an ugly choice,” he said. “I’m not liking anything I’m seeing in here.

“I also find it quite dated.”

Blaze picked apart the decor choices. “It’s weak styling,” she said. “Let’s put in a candle, a toothbrush holder and a pump – it’s just shove, shove, shove, bang.”

Daniel and Jade’s ‘vanilla’ hallway, 2020, Brighton

Palmer was won over by the subtle elegance of Daniel and Jade’s hallway, but he was alone in that sentiment.

Blaze did not hold back, underwhelmed by the soft paint tones and sparse styling in the entryway of the 1930s bungalow.  She took particular umbrage at the pampas grass wallpaper, pointing out it was not consistent with the original era. 

“Vanilla sums it all up,” she said. “This is a space that would have held colour, and get us to that division between the old and new.”

Whittaker said the presentation was “bland” and “undercooked”.

Matt and Kim’s ‘crime scene’ bedroom, 2013, South Melbourne

This room by Matt and Kim is remembered as one of the all-time great moments on The Block.

The judges were speechless, but Palmer broke the astonished silence by walking into the middle of the rainbow splatter, which covered the doona, bedside tables, walls, floor and ceiling.

“I am going to stand in here and have a little moment,” he said. “This is full on.”

Whittaker said it was his worst nightmare. “This is not a bedroom – this to me is a crime scene,” he said. “God knows what they are going to do in the shower. It is going to be like Psycho, isn’t it?”

Half of the room was stark and bare, and the judges were impressed by the precision of the paint application, but that’s about it.

Courtney and Grant’s ‘maze’ en suite, 2024, Phillip Island

The finished product of Courtney and Grant’s en suite was larger than the architect’s original design, after the couple took space from the adjoining living area. 

That itself was a waste, Fox pointed out, but he saved his most scathing remarks for the striped, Mediterranean-style shower recess. “That will not translate well into a marketing campaign,” he said. “This is like walking into the Phillip Island maze, and I absolutely hate it.”

Palmer begged to differ. He said the stripes were “hot” and trending in every magazine. 

Blaze was torn, acknowledging it was a statement, but ultimately, she had too many issues with the layout and functionality to give the room her full support.

El’ise and Matt’s ‘hangover’ kitchen and butlers’ pantry, 2019, St Kilda

This was a lesson in how forensically the judges will analyse what might be, to the educated, a perfectly passable room.

The luxurious wine fridge in El’ise and Matt’s kitchen gained instant attention, but the judges’ admiration was only skin deep. The lack of bench space and poor planning was more than Blaze, especially, could forgive.

At headquarters, Cam told the couple that “as a functional kitchen, it was found wanting by these three judges”.

The sink and cooktop should have been moved to the side to create more preparation area, Blaze said. 

Whittaker said that, while there were elements to love, including the slick cabinetry and a considered palette, they were further let down by the butlers’ pantry, which included a washer and dryer.

The queen of practicality sharpened her spear. “This is essentially a laundry with a bit of a hangover, not so much a functional area, because you are actually doing your coffee and tea in front of your washing machine,” Blaze said. 

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